I used to be a die-hard Black Friday shopper. My mom and I would sit down on Thanksgiving afternoon and pour through the ads from the over-stuffed newspaper and plan what we wanted. There was strategy, item-circling, route planning. It was a major event for us, and one over which we bonded. Over the past few years, especially since the arrival of my son, it's lost its appeal. I can no longer stand to fight the mad crowds and drama that surround it. And thanks to websites like Amazon.com, I can now get great deals from the comfort of my home (and pajama pants).
But, whether you like the hustle and bustle, or prefer to shop from home, here are some great websites and tips to get ready for the big day.
- Sign-up for emails and/or follow your favorite bands on social media. Almost all major retailers have a Facebook account, and many have moved into Twitter and Pinterest, too. Even when there aren't major events like Black Friday, they often offer exclusive coupons through their social media sites.
- Visit websites specifically created to help you sort out all of the great sales happening on Black Friday. A few of my favorites:
- Many retailers now have online-only sales during the Thanksgiving weekend, and they often start early in the week. If you're looking for a specific item, you can use apps or websites like http://pricepinx.com to track the price of the item and get price-drop alerts.
